Photo Retouching

Photo retouching, to Photoshop or not to Photoshop, is an ongoing dilemma for webmasters. Since most webmasters usually do not have advanced Adobe Photoshop skills, there is an expense involved in having photos photoshopped by photo retouchers in addition to facing the basic dilemma itself. Fantasy photo retouching can remove blemishes, bloodshot eyes, scars, tattoos, freckles, birthmarks, etc., and make other photo corrections. Photo retouching has come along way since the days of airbrushing actual photos.

How does a webmaster decide whether to have a photo touched up? Webmasters have to use their visual judgment. In some cases, natural unretouched photos are perfect, in other cases, touched up photos are superior for grabbing the attention of website visitors and keeping visitors on a particular webpage. At this point, it’s more or less known by the majority of website visitors that photos are going to be touched up for presentation. Unless there is a “truth in advertising” issue related to product marketing, where unretouched photos are required, photo retouching for better visual appeal should not be viewed as dishonest or unfair practice. If webmasters want to confront the photo retouching dilemma with honesty, there is a perfect solution!

Some webmasters present touched up photos, but a visitor can click the photos to see the unretouched versions. This touched up versus unretouched feature is gaining in popularity as visitors like to view an attractive photo, and then, as a bonus, they can view the original and marvel at the capabilities of the photo retoucher. They can also see what photo retouching software, usually Adobe Photoshop, can produce.